The Elimination Chamber go home show opens with an appropriate and respectful moment of silence for the victims of the shooting in Parkland, Florida.
After the opening title sequence rolls, Roman Reigns comes out to a chorus of boos and is interviewed by Charly Caruso in the ring. Reigns states that he is not so much concerned with tonight’s gauntlet match as he is Sunday’s Elimination Chamber match. He goes on to say that he has never been part of an Elimination Chamber match and has seen the toll it takes on the competitors.
Seth Rollins’ music hits just after Roman explains that he could have defeated Lesnar at Wrestlemania. (Three Years Ago) Rollins walks down to the ring with with chants of, “Burn it down” from the crowd.
Gauntlet Match:
The two Shield members start the gauntlet match and duke it out for a good twenty-eight minutes. Seth Rollins has never been one of my favorite guys, but man can he wrestle. At one point, Rollins executes a springboard maneuver only to receive a mid-air Superman punch from Reigns. However, the match-up ends with Rollins missing a curb stomp into an O’Connor Roll, followed by a school boy roll up on Reigns for the pin. (Much to the delight of the fans).
As the live crowd sings, “Na Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye” to Reigns, John Cena’s music hits. (My wife says the horns are out of tune) Cena does his usual spiel. He runs down the ramp, hits the ropes, and as he’s about to throw his cap into the crowd he is met with a surprise clothesline from the Architect. Rollins again goes for a springboard attack and is countered by Cena’s STF. Rollins escapes but is hindered by an injured leg. As the match continues, the two are almost double counted out after Rollins eats the post and Cena hits the stairs. The two competitors continue to fight as the match hits the sixty minute mark.
The commentary team point out the Architect, who has now been in the match for an hour, should preserve himself for Sunday. Cena continues to put STFs on Rollins, but Rollins continues to get the break. At one point Cena goes for a running cross body as Rollins showcases his strength catching Cena in a fall away slam position and lifts him into a fireman’s carry. (Very impressive) The Architect unexpectedly hits an AA, but Cena kicks out. Towards the end of the match-up, a missed Phoenix Splash by Seth allows Cena to hit an AA. Super Cena rolls through for a second AA attempt, but is met with a quick Rip Cord and Curb Stomp. Rollins gets the pin on Cena.
Elias’ music hits and he attempts a quick pin on the weary Rollins. As the gauntlet match continues, Renee (forever) Young interviews Cena who says he made a mistake in the match but gives props to “Mr. Monday Night,” Seth Rollins. He also explains that he’s had to balance a lot of things at once lately, (wedding planning?) and he only has six days to get back on the road to Wrestlemania. Back in the ring, Rollins misses a slingshot cross-body on the outside, further injuring his knee. After at least sixty-five minutes into the match, The Architect is pinned by Elias after he hits his patented Drift Away. Corey Graves calls Seth’s performance a career defining moment as the competitor receives a standing ovation.
Finn Balor is the next competitor to enter the gauntlet match and enters the ring with all eight of his friends (abs). Lots of back and forth between Elias and Finn, until Finn ultimately hits the Coupe De Grace for the pin. Seth gets his interview in which he states that it was great to beat both Reigns and Cena in the same night, but it doesn’t mean anything if he doesn’t win the Elimination Chamber match.
The Miztourage approaches as the Miz’s music hits. The Miz did indeed come to play tonight as the distraction from the Miztourage allows him to sneak attack Balor from behind. After some Yes Kicks from the Awesome One and several more distractions from Bo and Curtis (And even a shot by Graves at Fergie’s National Anthem performance) the Miz is able to hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Finn for the pin.
The Miz points to the Wrestlemania sign. (It’s a thing) His smile starts to fade as fans chant “Strowman.” Can you blame them after last week’s bass segment? The Monster Among Men heads for the ring but the Miz makes a run for it, into the crowd. Strowman showcases incredible speed as he outruns the Miz and drags him back from the commentary area back into the ring. Braun continues to showcase his impressive big-man agility by performing what Corey Graves best described as a “Tyrannosaurus Drop-Kick” Miz is somehow able to hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Braun but the big-man kicks out after two. Nearly two hours into the gauntlet match, Braun hits the running power-slam for the win.
Braun gets his interview, and declares that he will win the Elimination Chamber match and that he’s coming for the “Beastie Boy,” Brock Lesnar. Another thing that’s great about Strowman is that before he goes back to the ring to decimate the Miz and company, he very politely excuses himself from Charly Caruso. It’s power slams all around for the Miz and his cronies.
As first reported by NBC Sports, it’s been announced that the Jeff Jarrett will be the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame 2018 class. We are given a video package of JJ spelling his name, smashing guitars, and winning titles. Although many were surprised the often controversial wrestler and founder of TNA would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, the six time Intercontinental Champion has quite the resume. Never say never in the WWE.
Asuka Interview
The first ever Women’s Royal Rumble winner, Asuka is interviewed in the ring saying that Nia will tap out at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Nia sneak attacks Asuka during the interview, but the Empress of Tomorrow is ready with a flurry of kicks. However, after a Samoan Drop and three leg drops, Nia leaves Asuka motionless in the middle of the ring.
Rowdy Ronda Rousy Promo
WWE hypes the Ronda Rousey contract signing at the Elimination Chamber PPV with a video package highlighting her career, talk show appearances, and training. Additionally, we see many of the WWE women’s roster weigh in on Rousey. I for one am very interested to see how they go about using her in the WWE.
The Bar (Sheamus/Cesaro) vs. Titus World Wide (Apollo/Titus w/ Dana Brooke)
Upon the Titus World Wide entrance, we learn that Titus O’Neil hosted over 2,000 under privileged children for the premiere of Black Panther as a way to give them a hero to look up to. Isn’t that what it’s all about? The match was short but ended with the very agile Apollo getting the pin on Cesaro after the Swiss Cyborg hit the post.. According to statistician, Dana Brooke, that makes three times that Apollo and Titus have defeated the tag champs. I for one would love to see more of Dana Brooke’s in ring action, taking on more of a Kara Danvers/Supergirl type identity.
Bray & Woken Matt Segment
The Titantron war of words continues between Bray Wyatt and Woken Matt Hardy. The two go back and forth, laughing and calling each other liars. Matt says Bray will be “DELETED” while Wyatt says “Hardy will burn.” Interesting choice of words by Bray. Hopefully we will see a full fledged BROKEN Matt Hardy soon.
Six Woman Tag Team Match (Banks/Bayley/James vs. Bliss/Rose/Deville)
The Raw main event saw all six members of the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. There was some early friction between our face team as the referee missed a Banks, Bailey tag. Due to recent tweets and attitude, I think it’s safe to say we finally see Sasha Banks go back to being a heel. We’ll see how her Road to Wrestlemania plays out. Banks executes several double knees to the opposing team but is ultimately met with an ugly head first slam into the middle turnbuckle. However, The Boss quickly recovers and is able to make Lil Miss Bliss tap out to the Bank Statement. Absolution attack Banks and Bayley, then target Alexa. Mickie James jumps into the ring to save her former friend, as the two hit a double DDT. Mickie and Alexa walk back up the ramp together seemingly reunited.
Overall, this was a solid send off show with a very entertaining gauntlet match to wet our appetites for Sunday’s Elmination Chamber Match. Although we won’t have a Universal Championship defense in the Men’s EC match on Sunday, we will finally see who will get to face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania. Braun already ran the gauntlet (well, really just took out the Miz and the Miztourage) and I think that he should run the table going into Wrestlemania. It’s time for the Monster Among Men to have his Wrestlemania moment.
-Rob Crowther IV
